His Mistletoe Family

by Ruth Logan Herne

  “I’m on my way.”

  She met him at the door and he didn’t pretend the joy he felt seeing her. It flooded him, a wash of emotional peace, the kind of feeling a man would like to come home to every day. And every night. “Special delivery.”

  She laughed and accepted the to-go container of food. “I’m starved, so this is most welcome.”

  “And these.” He handed in plastic bags of boys’ outerwear.

  “Oh, Brett, I can’t wait to see them.” Her grin inspired his.

  “And here we have...” He ushered the boys into the apartment and realized the whole setting was pretty sparse. Not like Haley at all. Bare walls, a pale rug, scant furniture. “Two tired boys.”

  “I’m not tired.” Tyler scowled and scrubbed a toe into the rug. “He is. And he started it.”

  “Did not!”

  “Did, too!”

  “I’m finishing it.” Brett used his army voice. It did the trick. Both boys went quiet, but the scowls remained intact. “Hang up your coats, put your shoes away and go get pajamas on.”

  “I wanna see TV!”

  “Me, too!”

  “You’re not the boss of me!”

  “I want my mommy!”

  Brett edged closer to Haley. “I say we divide and conquer.”

  “I agree. I’ve got Todd.”

  “Then I’m all over Tyler.”

  He didn’t have time to appreciate her smile of agreement. He scooped Tyler up, wrestled him around and noogied his head while she got Todd ready in the bedroom beyond.

  A pair of pajamas came flying out the door.

  Brett helped the sullen little guy into them.

  The sound of water being shut off meant Todd had brushed his teeth.

  He exchanged places with Haley and watched as Tyler pretended to brush his teeth. Was it worth a fight tonight, knowing he’d messed up their earlier rest time?

  No.

  But he’d be smarter tomorrow.

  By the time they’d read two stories and gotten the boys settled, he was contemplating joining a gym to get himself back into top shape because keeping up with two busy boys wasn’t a given.

  “Whew. Done. And we lived to tell the tale.” Haley high-fived him, grinned and dropped into the lone chair in the room. “Now if they actually fall asleep...”

  “You mean they might not?”

  She sent him a look that said “Get real, pal.” “They may. They may not. Show me what you bought.”

  It seemed meager from the amount of time he’d spent, but Haley ooohed and aahed over the coats, snow pants and accessories like he was the greatest man on Earth. And her enthusiasm made him feel that way. “I love that they’re the same color scheme, but not the same jackets,” she told him. “And that shade of blue looks good on both boys.”

  “I agree. And now—” he sat back and leveled her a straight-on gaze “—we need to talk.”

  “O-kay.” The way she drew out the word said she wondered where he was headed. Her bottom teeth grabbed her upper lip, a habit when she grew concerned. “About the fire inspection today?”

  He shook his head. “No, I figured you were all over that list the minute I walked out the door with the boys.”

  Her look said he was spot on, but he already knew that. Haley wasn’t exactly the type to let grass grow beneath her feet. “No, I want to talk about the boys’ schedules.”

  “Nonexistent at the moment.” She offered the words and the look of worry deepened.

  “I think we can fix that,” he told her.

  “I don’t see how until I’ve got the medical and legal papers done.”

  “I want to help with those.”

  She frowned, ready to wave him off, but he refused to be put off, a soldier’s trait that held him in good stead. “I’ve got time. You don’t. I’ve got two inspections Wednesday, then yours on Thursday, but that’s it until after the first of the year and Bud Schmidt, the regular fire inspector, might be back on the job by then. LuAnn has already offered to watch the boys Wednesday, and Charlie’s offered to take them to see Bwana Jim so I can get the medical and legal records worked out.”

  “I can’t let you do all that.” Haley frowned and inched forward. “I appreciate all this, Brett, but it isn’t your job, your responsibility. It’s just come at an awful time for me, with a new business venture just opening up—”

  “Exactly why I should do it.” He decided to explain without explaining fully. At some point in time, they could swap stories and maybe she wouldn’t think he was a deadbeat dad. But right now, he knew he could and should help. End of story. “I’ve got the time. Charlie and LuAnn are back at the store. Les is feeling better and will be back for the weekend. My stint in the army taught me how to get around red tape, Haley, and that’s what we need to settle the boys in properly.”

  “I agree with all that.” She said the words slowly, as if reluctant to continue. She paused, took a deep breath, then met his gaze straight on, a trait he admired. “But these guys have lost a lot, Brett. Father, mother. You heard Tyler last night. He feels like he’s got no home. No place to call his own. What if you do all this nice stuff, and then disappear from their lives? That can’t be good for them, right?”

  He couldn’t fault her logic, but... “Haley, my home and business are across the street. Logistics say I’m not going anywhere. Unless...” He smiled and got to his feet, then crossed the room. She rose, too, uncertain, but looking way too wonderful for him to mess up this second chance. “You’re worried about this.” He waved a hand between them, his gaze implying the growing attraction.

  She read his inference and her mouth, soft and sweet, curved in a small smile.

  Could he imagine this feeling growing? Evolving into something life-altering?

  Tonight he could.

  Should he? Maybe not. Maybe he didn’t deserve a second chance to be a good father.

  But on the other hand, God was the God of second chances. He blessed atonement. He offered forgiveness freely, and Brett had begged forgiveness more than once.

  His phone buzzed, interrupting the moment, but he eased back, not wanting to break the conversation, knowing he needed to check the number.

  His mother.

  Duty called.

  He waved the phone and offered a look of apology. “Gotta go. It’s my mother.”

  “Of course.” She acquiesced as if motherly respect should be a given. If only that was true.

  And the fact that he didn’t want to leave?

  Bittersweet but wondrous, and Brett couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen life as wondrous. It felt good. Mighty good. He held on to that emotion as he headed out the door, never sure what a phone call from his mother might bring. But tonight?

  He felt like he could handle anything that came his way.

  Chapter Eight

  Brett opened the door to his little house before Haley had the boys out of the car the next morning. His anticipation made her feel like she could do anything.

  His smile? Ditto.

  The way his gaze rested on her face, as if wondering when he might kiss her?

  That brought heat to her cheeks and she had to school herself to calm things down. Take this slow. Think of the boys. Sending them the wrong message could be harmful. She might not have been prepared for this sudden bend in the road, but she had every intention of doing it right. As much as she could, anyway. And once she got through the craziness of the holiday season, she’d be good to go.

  She hoped.

  “This rain is annoying.” Brett sent the sky a quick look as the boys trooped into the house.

  “And then some. I’d much rather have snow.” Haley watched as he shrugged into his bomber jacket over an ivory-and-tan heathered sweater. He l
ooked amazing. Strong. Vigorous. He sent her a quick grin.

  “Do I pass inspection?”

  She blushed but refused to waffle. “I’d go straight to heart-stopping, but I might be a little over-the-top.”

  His chuckle made her smile inside and out, the sound filled with hope and promise and all things good. He glanced at his watch, then nodded across the street as they shifted the boys’ car seats into his SUV. “Are you sure you can’t leave for a few hours and join us? I figured we’d go straight to Olean, shop for a couple of hours, head back here and have lunch, then naps. While they’re napping I’m going to make calls about the legal and medical stuff. See if we can get that straightened around.”

  She’d love to. To spend the morning shopping with Brett and the boys would be fun.

  But there were only twenty-seven shopping days until Christmas. As owner and manager of a fledgling business, that meant she had twenty-seven days of work. She shook her head. Her refusal put a niggle of concern in Brett’s eye, but he accepted her rebuttal with an easy nod.

  “Hey, how did your phone call with your mother go last night?” She helped Todd adjust his buckles and then tested them for a good fit. Perfect.

  “Fine.” Brett gave Tyler a high-five for getting himself strapped into the booster seat and came around the hood. “She needed a ride to an early AA meeting this morning.”

  His honesty didn’t surprise her. It made her feel good actually, knowing he could and would talk about things. She’d lived a life rife with family secrets. Facts treated as fiction. Problems swept aside with the stroke of a pen on a check. She’d vowed to never live her life that way. “Are you picking her up now?”

  “Already did it. She was going to the early morning session, then on for coffee and fellowship. If she needs a ride back home, she’ll call me later.” He winked at Todd and that made the little guy giggle in his seat. “He likes sitting up high in the SUV.”

  “They love it.” Haley made a face and scanned her car. “At some point I’ll have to go more family-friendly, but I’m skating my way through the holidays right now. You understand.”

  He brought a hand up to her face. Cupped her cheek. His smile said he understood, but something in his eyes, his gaze said he wished he didn’t. “I’ve finally learned that Christmas with children isn’t something to ever be taken lightly.”

  His words stung.

  He didn’t mean them to. She saw that. And the broad hand against her cheek said he was offering simple advice, not an edict.

  But this timing wasn’t of her doing and she had four dozen vendors who’d staked time and money to make Bennington Station a success. She couldn’t turn her back on them. And she couldn’t turn her back on the boys. Balance. It was all about balance.

  “I’ll see you later.” He released her cheek with a gentle smile. A smile that said he didn’t want to corner her or make her feel guilty. So why did she feel both?

  “Okay. And Brett?”

  “Yes?” He turned as he settled himself into the driver’s seat of the big, rangy SUV.

  “Thank you. For everything.”

  His smile deepened. “Get in your car. You’re getting wet. I’ll see you later. You’ve got my cell number in your phone, right?”

  “On speed dial.”

  “Good girl.”

  Haley almost preened under his approval and then wondered if she was being ridiculous. Maybe, but it was the best feeling she’d ever had. She hopped into the convertible and took the two-minute drive over to the co-op.

  Lisa Fitzgerald met her inside. “We made significant progress yesterday.”

  “We did.” Haley hung up her coat and scarf in the office and headed for the east wing of shops. “And if we get the east wing scoured and adjusted today, we’re good for Thursday’s inspection.”

  “And that bank draft.”

  “Amen.” She withdrew Brett’s list of citations from her desk and handed it to Lisa. “Would you just double check and make sure I’ve covered everything noted on the second floor?”

  “I’m on it.”

  Lisa found Haley near the checkout area about twenty minutes later and handed off the sheet, smiling. “Done. Perfect. Stellar.”

  “Good.” Haley set up the cash drawer for the day, glanced around and then dropped her attention to the pink sheet in her hand. “I’ll get started on this. We’ve got six vendors on site today. I scheduled ten for tomorrow because we’ve got several bus tours coming down from Rochester and Buffalo.”

  “Awesome. I love it when the buses pull up.”

  “It still amazes me,” Haley admitted. “I look around, I see how close we are to being complete with the new showroom done for spring and summer sales, with the factory side done for this Christmas, and I’m continually surprised that it’s moving so quickly.”

  “You came to town with a good plan, great numbers and real estate backing.” Lisa shrugged. “All conduits of good business, Haley.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled at Lisa and started toward the eastern end of the co-op layout.

  “Who’s got the boys?”

  Haley swung back. “Brett’s taking them shopping for clothes in Olean.”

  “Now?”

  Haley nodded. “The stores open at nine because of the Christmas season, so he’s heading out early.”

  “Why are you here?”

  Haley frowned and took a step back toward Lisa. “Because I’m working here.”

  “It’s Tuesday.” Lisa folded her arms and sent Haley a commonsense look. “We’ve got plenty of help on hand, I can fix anything on the east side that needs attention for the fire inspection, and you should be shopping with those boys.”

  “It’s not that easy,” Haley began, but Lisa interrupted by grabbing the pink sheet back out of Haley’s hand.

  “Yes, it is. Stop being stubborn. You know I’ll do this and do it right. If you’re back by this afternoon, we can double check things together, and we’re open until eight tonight, so when did you think you were going to see those boys?”

  Guilt power punched her. She’d figured she wouldn’t see the boys and Brett’s look that morning had underscored her misgivings. “You’re all right here?”

  “Yes.” Lisa made a face like that was a given.

  Haley hesitated, then confessed, “It’s hard to not feel guilty this week. I’m either cutting the boys short or the business short. There doesn’t seem to be a happy medium.”

  “We’ll find one,” Lisa promised. She gave Haley a half hug. “If nothing else, having cancer taught me to celebrate life. Grasp the moment. Live for tomorrow but enjoy today. If it was crucial for you to be here today, I’d agree.” She stepped back. “But it’s Tuesday and shopping with kids is best done with as many adults as possible. Go.” She pointed toward Haley’s office. “Grab your coat and get out of here. Have fun with the boys in your life.”

  She didn’t mention Brett’s name, but Haley knew exactly what she meant. She grinned, strode into her tiny office, grabbed her stuff and headed for the door. “Thank you, Lisa.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Lisa headed east while Haley moved north. “Just remember that the word cooperative means we’re all in it together. You might own it—” she fist-pumped a hand in solidarity “—but we’ve all got a stake in its success.”

  Haley recognized the truth in Lisa’s words. How had she forgotten that?

  Because not all vendors are as focused and trustworthy as Lisa, her conscience reminded her. Otherwise you wouldn’t have failed that first inspection.

  Know your people.

  Professors hammered that point in her business classes and she should have paid closer attention to the advice. Her Pollyanna mind-set wanted everyone to be happy and work hard. The real world said only twenty-five percent of workers would fall
in that range.

  Now she needed to more accurately assess that twenty-five percent and deputize them.

  That phrase made her smile as she started the car and aimed for I-86. She mentally kicked herself for not seeing the common sense of this sooner. Mornings weren’t as busy and helping with the boys should be her primary responsibility.

  She headed west, found a Christmas music radio station and let herself relax into the true reason for the season.

  Why did she allow other things to mute the holiness of the season? She’d try to do better, she promised herself in the half-hour ride. And she’d count on Lisa and Brett to remind her to do just that.

  “Hey, miss us already?” Brett answered the call as he and the boys headed for the kids’ clothing department. “I did invite you along, remember?”

  “Where are you?”

  “Penney’s. Why?”

  “Which department?”

  “Um...” He glanced around and frowned. “Heading through socks and up to children’s clothing.”

  “See you in five.”

  “What?”

  But she’d hung up. He turned, scanned the thin number of shoppers for an early Tuesday in late November and wondered if he’d heard right. She was here? Ready to shop with them?

  Or had something gone wrong? His heart went straight to overdrive, wondering.

  “What’s wrong, Brett?”

  Oops. Tyler’s oversensitive nature had picked up his vibes. He had to remember that the five-year-old tuned into things with great acuity. He didn’t know if all kids were like that, or if Tyler’s life had thrust that awareness on him at too early an age, but he’d have to watch his reactions around the little guy. “Nothing, bud. I think Aunt Haley’s going to join us after all.”

  “Really?” Todd’s smile widened from the circle of Brett’s arm. “I fink I will wuv that a wot!”

  “A l-l-lot,” said a familiar voice behind them, stressing the L sound. “Remember, Todd? Practice la-la-la-la-la.”

  “Aunt Haley!”

  “You came!”

  “Oh, I’m so glad you did!”

  “Me, too.” Brett turned at the top of the escalator and met her gaze, grinning like a schoolboy and unashamed to admit it. “How did you pull yourself free?”